How To! with Mike Pesca How To Make A How To Podcast
Mar 10, 2026
Mike Danforth, NPR producer and comic problem-solver. Ian Chillag, podcaster known for perpendicular, funny fixes. They coach Mike Pesca on crafting how-to shows. They trade stories about launching a show, choosing surprising yet repeatable solutions, balancing help with entertainment, and the infamous refrigerator with Jesse Eisenberg anecdote.
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Make Episodes About Repeatable Interesting Facts
- How To Do Everything prioritizes learning interesting, repeatable facts over strictly solving everyone's problem.
- Ian Chillag and Mike Danforth measure success by whether they leave listeners with a memorable, repeatable fact like Kevin Bacon staring at Tom Hanks' head to cure motion sickness.
Don't Get In The Refrigerator With Jesse Eisenberg
- The hosts strongly warned listeners against climbing into refrigerators after Jesse Eisenberg admitted he did it.
- Ian recommended an internal latch like Mr. Popper's Penguins so anyone attempting it could escape.
Find Perpendicular Solutions Not Obvious Answers
- Seek perpendicular, unexpected solutions rather than the obvious ChatGPT-style answer.
- Brainstorm sideways approaches from the question to discover quirky experts or surprising tactics that yield entertaining conversations.
